Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-07-02
A BEAUTIFUL GIFT.
Presentation TO Iseardsley Camp, sons
of Veterans, of Handsome Altar
Judge Glenn's speech Remarks by
Mai. BeardsIey and Congressman
Gest--Other Exercises

| SenDId1e Oh ITltnuS Dl luc camp uu int
occasion of the presentation OF an altar
| by several of the old soldiers of Buford
| post, aud the literary and musical exercises
by the Ladies Relief auxiliary of the camp
last evening. Capt. Dripps presided, an
nouncing musical selection by Miss
| Agnes Bixby, at the close of which. Past
Commander E. H. Bowman, Jr, of Blu
| ford post took occasion To interrupt the
exercises long enough To announce that
the old soldiers had "a part to perform in
| the programme which had not been pro-
vided Tor by the camp He then re
| moved the American flag which covered
the altar and invited Judge J. J. Glenn,
of Monmouth, to deliver the presentation
speech.
| Judge Glenn was received with great
applause He commenced by saying that
every testimonial, if given and received
with the proper spirit cannot help but
awaken emotions of pleasure. The gift
to be made on this occasion brings back
memories of the past aud it shows that be
tween the veterans of the grand army and
the Sons of Veterans the most tender and
| iGidiiOH0 luuob CAlobH Nv
Judge then spoke of the dark days of 81,
aud beautifully alluded to those trying
times of the republics peril, and the i'm
pressiOns made upon him, by the sight OF
| young men marching to the front. No
one who had not lived in those days
could fully realize the enormIty of that
fearful struggle. Wal, said the Judge, is
| a rnnet t,,YTIhi. upI ,iauIlISb or a
most holy thing, and men never engaged
in a holier, greater or more righteous
cause than did the fathers of these Sons
of Veterans; 1t was struggle for the re-
establishment of the brotherhood of man
1t was struggle for the maintenance of
the brotherhood established by our for
fathers on Pilgrim rock. One object of
the presentation of this alter is to keep
alive in the hearts of the Sons of Veter~
ans and the young men OF American the
spirit OF patriotism and love of country.
Judge Glenn here traced the history Of
the wars in which the country had been
engaged. commencing with the revolu~
ton, the outgrowth of which was that
graudest most remarkable and most
|
tai man-the Declaration OF lnicpen
dUcc-and the Judge here said that he
would like to see the Declaration of In
dependence read in every hamlet and city
in this country on the Fourth of July
1t would be the most appropriate and
most patriotic thing that could be done.
while at the same time, impressing upon
young America the real spirit which in>
Spirtd their forefathers and gave to after
generations this glorious system of gov
} erument. The speaker spoke of the 9th
CT wars in which the republic had been
engaged, coming down to The civil strife
which was waged for the holding to
getheT forever of that brotherhood oi
man whi5h our foretathers gave Us. and
for which they bled and suffered and dice
J that we might have So it was, too
that the fathers of these loyal and patrl'
otto sons suffered deprivation, sorrow
} and death that brotherhood should no
be dissolved
In closing his remarks, Judge Glenr
+ said we should mol love our country 70
its great rivers and lakes and streams. it,
, beautiful scenery, its natural possession
E and grau1uer, but for the principles o
the government it has; to he loyal frs
: and above all to its constitution and it
laws, to be true to those principle
which protect you in your rights anC
place all on one equality"
Capt. Dripps made short but tittin!
: response on behalf of the camp, Stain
I that the altar would be appreciated, as
: would I've coming from no other source
l. Expressive as 1t was, too, in beauty al
n design, it would he ever priced and tn
: camp would hope and strive to be worth
e of it.
J. Mai. ]. NJ Beardsley was then Gale
e upon for remarks, aud he made one q
, most fitting addresses he has ever mad
e in this city. Short, yet patriotic an
i full Of soHnd and sensible teachings,
was eloquent. He devoted himself I
the study of the altar-how appropriate
ly it had been conceived by Past Con
mander Bowman, embematlc as it W.
OF the altar of our country on which trt
men Law their lives that their COUNT
might he saved and live forever II
called attention. to the cannon whi'
sent forth such terror and caused
many patriotic human lives to 90 out.
the canteen, the God blessed canteen, Il
contents of which had relieved many
lamished throat upon the field. II
major also alluded to the late Irwin
BeardsleY. guartermaSter of the cam
the place he had filled among the youu
men of his age and the lessons til
might be learned from his noble life
was one of Mai Beardsley's most iuspj
ing speeches in all respects
Congressman W. H. Gest was urged
A speeCh and he made a short sdIre
aI3;ar 60, tho ,ort IA, had t,Bou
the war no matter what his class or col
ditioa of being is now. He recalled Il